The Emergence of novel science-related fields: Regional or technological patterns? Exploration and exploitation in United Kingdom nanotechnology

Abstract

An extensive literature addresses the emergence of new technologies in their geographical and cognitive context. Drawing on a spatial innovation systems approach, this issue is explored for a newly emerging area: nano-science and nanotechnology. This study draws on a multi-method approach to explore the emergence of nanotechnology in the United Kingdom, covering bibliometric, patent, and firm-level data. The results point to regional concentrations of scientific and technological activity as well as to a concentration of nanotechnology firms in the well-established ‘science hubs’. However, further inspection of the evidence also hints at the importance of non-local links and networks along technological paths.

title = "The Emergence of novel science-related fields: Regional or technological patterns? Exploration and exploitation in United Kingdom nanotechnology",

abstract = "An extensive literature addresses the emergence of new technologies in their geographical and cognitive context. Drawing on a spatial innovation systems approach, this issue is explored for a newly emerging area: nano-science and nanotechnology. This study draws on a multi-method approach to explore the emergence of nanotechnology in the United Kingdom, covering bibliometric, patent, and firm-level data. The results point to regional concentrations of scientific and technological activity as well as to a concentration of nanotechnology firms in the well-established {\textquoteleft}science hubs{\textquoteright}. However, further inspection of the evidence also hints at the importance of non-local links and networks along technological paths.",

T2 - Regional or technological patterns? Exploration and exploitation in United Kingdom nanotechnology

AU - Meyer, Martin

AU - Libaers, Dirk

AU - Park, Jae-Hwan

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - An extensive literature addresses the emergence of new technologies in their geographical and cognitive context. Drawing on a spatial innovation systems approach, this issue is explored for a newly emerging area: nano-science and nanotechnology. This study draws on a multi-method approach to explore the emergence of nanotechnology in the United Kingdom, covering bibliometric, patent, and firm-level data. The results point to regional concentrations of scientific and technological activity as well as to a concentration of nanotechnology firms in the well-established ‘science hubs’. However, further inspection of the evidence also hints at the importance of non-local links and networks along technological paths.

AB - An extensive literature addresses the emergence of new technologies in their geographical and cognitive context. Drawing on a spatial innovation systems approach, this issue is explored for a newly emerging area: nano-science and nanotechnology. This study draws on a multi-method approach to explore the emergence of nanotechnology in the United Kingdom, covering bibliometric, patent, and firm-level data. The results point to regional concentrations of scientific and technological activity as well as to a concentration of nanotechnology firms in the well-established ‘science hubs’. However, further inspection of the evidence also hints at the importance of non-local links and networks along technological paths.